One month ago today I completed my first marathon. It was an amazing experience and I wanted to thank everyone for their support. I was overwhelmed by your thoughts and prayers and the support from all of the volunteers along the course. I am very happy that I completed the event with Team in Training, all along the route there were supporters from Team in Training. On the course I was encouraged by the coaches and teammates. The sight of all the spectators cheering us on and the support from the local community was phenomenal, total strangers were holding signs and applauding the participants as we passed through their neighborhoods.

More importantly it felt good to be able to support the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS). I heard about how the LLS supports patients and families facing blood cancers. It felt good to raise money through your generous donations and support their efforts.

By participating in the marathon I felt that I was able to stand with my brother Charles as he deals with Leukemia. He is receiving chemotherapy treatments and from what I understand is responding well to the treatments.

Thank you again for all your financial support and words of encouragement, without you it would not have been possible.

My words are not sufficient to express the feelings I had during the marathon and to fully express my gratitude for your support.

I am about $400 short of my fundraising goal, and I hope that by the end of the week I will have met my goal. If you are interested in making a donation please visit my fundraising page.

Take care and God Bless,

Jack McGowan

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/168108548

Here is the training run I completed today. It felt good, I did not have the same problem with cramps that I have been dealing with in past long runs. This run I stopped every 15-20 minutes to stretch my IT band and calf, well worth the time. Prior to today I was not confident that I would be able to complete the Vancouver marathon. I believe that I will be able to cover the distance, just not sure how fast. I would never have thought that I would be running in a marathon but life has a way of putting things in front of us. In my case it was my brother's diagnosis of leukemia which lead me to Team in Training. I am running for a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers.

Thanks,

Jack McGowan

May 6th will be here before I know it. I am doing my best to prepare for the Vancouver Marathon. I am completing the marathon as part of an effort to raise money for cancer research. I appreciate your support and hope that you are able to help me reach my fundraising goal. I am doing this in honor of my brother Charles who has leukemia.

Thanks,

Jack McGowan

Great run in the mountians today!

Today I intended to run for two hours; about 45 minutes into the run I had some painful cramps in my quadriceps. Fortunately I was not too far from home; I returned home and completed the two hours on the treadmill. The cramps did not return I just hope that I can figure out why my legs cramp before the marathon.

I am raising funds to help those facing blood cancers in honor of my brother Charles. Please consider making a donation.

Thanks,

Jack McGowan

This is the map of my run this morning.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/908211